Undrafted rookie left tackle Michael Harris handled himself well in his first career NFL start, filling in for injured Jared Gaither (back). The line shuffled around due to injuries in the preseason. This was its first game as a group since the Aug. 9 preseason opener.

"I thought going into the game that Mike matched up with that guy," Rivers said, referring to Raiders defensive end Matt Shaughnessy. "It was more about were they going to try to overwhelm that side with blitzes and schemes, and they didn't. And not that he couldn't have handled it. It was just kind of one-on-one all night, and he did a heck of a job."

Opportunity came in the first half for the Chargers.

Rookie outside linebacker Melvin Ingram forced a fumble, but the offense went three-and-out. Wide receiver Robert Meachem caught a 46-yard pass, but the drive stalled in the red zone. Eddie Royal returned a 46-yard return, but it was negated by a block in the back.

Finally, the Chargers broke through.

Philip Rivers closed the half with the 90-yard drive

The Raiders, a traditionally charitable organization — they've led the league in penalties in 20 of their 52 years — gifted San Diego a pair of third-down conversions. Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly was whistled for encroachment and offsides.

Rivers took advantage.

He completed all eight passes for 73 yards, including a 23-yard deep ball to Floyd's inside shoulder against cornerback Ron Bartell.

On the score, Rivers stood in the pocket with good protection before defensive end David Tollefson finally approached off the left edge. At the last moment, Rivers found Floyd dragging from right to left and hit him toward the back of the end zone.

"That's the type of me-to-you, you-to-me factor you get when you're with a guy for nine years," Rivers said.

The Chargers offense was 4-for-4 at converting third downs on that drive. They were 1-for-9 the rest of the game.

Rivers had a clean sheet, not committing a turnover. He finished 24-for-33 with 231 yards and a touchdown. Floyd paced the team with four catches for 66 yards.

It was the Chargers' only touchdown of the night, as the offense stalled four of five times in the red zone. Nate Kaeding made five field goals, his longest from 45 yards.

The complexion of the game turned when Raiders long snapper Jon Condo left the game with a head injury when he took an accidental knee from a teammate.

The team, which didn't list an emergency backup, looked unprepared.

Third-year linebacker Travis Goethel was thrown into action, and on the 34th anniversary of the Holy Roller, misfired punts to Shane Lechler.

Chargers tight end Dante Rosario penetrated up the middle to block a third-quarter punt.

It was the first time Lechler had a punt blocked since 2006. It was the Chargers' first block since Jacob Hester did it in 2009. It was Rosario's first since high school.

"It's been a long time," Rosario said. "When that gap opened, it was like something felt wrong. 'I shouldn't be this free.' Then when I started to realize what was happening, you just run as hard as you can to the block spot and do all the technique stuff we work on every week."

The Chargers have won eight of their last nine in Oakland.

They are 4-2 in season openers under coach Norv Turner, who tied John Madden with his 112th career win. The total ranks 33rd all time.